Related Programs

Research Training

The second and third years are optional but strongly encouraged. Funding for the research years is guaranteed. These years are devoted to laboratory-based, translational, or clinical research. During the autumn of the first year of fellowship, trainees begin exploring options for investigative efforts around their individual interests. Each trainee selects a research mentor who is responsible for specific projects and the educational development of the trainee. Research mentors may be selected from any DF/HCC affiliated institution including MGH, BWH, DFCI, Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Harvard Medical School.

Research fellows are supported by intramural funding sources, but are also encouraged as part of the training process to apply for extramural sources of funding. Those interested in a basic or translational science project may apply for a two-year K12 training grant.

DFCI/BWH and MGH staff members are also very active in brain tumor clinical trial research and are recognized leaders within the field. We participate in all the major consortia for brain tumor clinical trials (ABTC, Alliance, NRG, CERN, BTTC, Ivy Foundation, COG). Supervised by faculty and research staff, trainees will care for patients enrolled on clinical trials during their fellowship. Research fellows will also have the opportunity to write and develop new protocols for review by the Institutional Review Board.

Below are examples of research projects by current and recent trainees:

Whole-exome sequencing of PCNSL tumors to characterize the genetic attributes and drivers of disease, Whole-exome sequencing of cell-free DNA in brain mets to identify biomarkers, drivers of disease, and new avenues for targeted therapies